Introduction

Often it is hard for families who have a family member in jail to handle finances, keep in touch with their loved one, care for their children and keep the family safe and healthy. Children with parents that are in jail need support, as do their caretakers. In addition, when a family member returns from incarceration, the return home can be challenging. There are services available in Clackamas County to help families meet these needs.

A number of resources can be found at your local Oregon Department of Human Services office. There are two branches in Clackamas County.

To help determine if you are eligible for certain programs, you may go to the Oregon Helps web site (www.oregonhelps.org). Entering specific information about your situation will generate a list of resources you can explore.

Clackamas County Department of Human Services provides county citizens with a broad spectrum of needs including employment and training, physical and mental health services, aging resources, low income and special needs housing, emergency assistance for low-income individuals and child and family resources.

Information and referrals may be found at their Oregon City offices.

Clackamas County DHS

2051 Kaen Rd.

Oregon City, OR 97045

Phone: (503) 655-8861

Many times incarceration can take place very quickly. There is little time for planning or to ask questions. This guide was developed to try to answer some of the basic questions when a family member goes to jail.

Contacting an Inmate

Q: Can I send a message to an inmate?

No. The Clackamas County Jail does not relay messages for inmates – either in writing or by directing/connecting telephone calls. To communicate with an inmate, you can send a letter by US Postal Service or wait for the inmate to contact you by phone.

The Jail provides mail service for inmates and regulates mail to provide a safe, secure, and orderly environment for them. They may send and receive mail, and receive approved publications that comply with Postal regulations and the rules governing the County Jail. No mail or notes may be left at the Jail for inmates.

Mail Delivery

Incoming mail will be delivered to inmates after it is received and processed, usually within 24 hours. Exceptions include confiscated mail and circumstances beyond the control of the Jail. There is no mail delivery on holidays or weekends. Mail received for inmates who are no longer in custody of the Clackamas County Jail will be returned unopened to the sender.

Outgoing mail will be handled in a timely manner. Mail submitted at “mail pass” will be sent out the next business day. All outgoing mail will be in postage-paid envelopes and paper purchased from the Jail commissary. Inmates who cannot afford to purchase these items will receive 2 envelopes and 4 sheets of paper per week for personal mail.

Any foreign substance (lipstick, crayon, water colors, paint, correction fluid, metallic ink, perfume, glue, tape, body fluids, etc.) on any part of the mail including the envelope

Greeting cards larger than 8.5”x10” that are padded, musical, have metal clasps, plastic, string, ribbon, confetti, glitter or laminated parts. Or any item that by design restricts the ability to search it.

If contraband is found in the mail, the Jail will seize it and efforts will be made to identify the person who sent it. Serious contraband will be turned over to the Sheriff’s Office for investigation.

Introducing contraband into a correctional facility through the mail or by any other means is a CLASS C FELONY. Such activity will be investigated for criminal prosecution.

Sending Cash

When an inmate receives cash through the mail, it and a receipt will go to Administration to be posted to the inmate’s account. Any other non-negotiable items will either be placed in the inmate’s property bin or returned to the sender. Checks, money orders, cashier checks, etc. are not permitted to be sent to an inmate in the mail.

Q: What are inmate accounts?

An inmate may use money in his or her account to pay for fees or to purchase products available at the Jail’s commissary. Items include hygiene items, writing paper and envelopes, pencils, postage, and snacks.

To make a deposit to an inmate’s account, go to the front lobby of the Clackamas County Jail. The Jail accepts deposits 24/7, including holidays and weekends. They will only take deposits for inmates currently residing at the Jail. Upon release, an inmate will be issued a check for any remaining funds in the account.

Visiting an Inmate

Q: How can I help a child visit a parent in jail?

Inmates may receive visitors 2 days each week. On each of these visiting days, they may have two (2) 30-minute visits. Inmates are given a Jail Visiting List Form at intake. They may have up to 6 different visitors on their list. Persons not on the list or listed incorrectly may not visit an inmate. Background checks will be done on all visitors listed. Inmates may only add or delete names on their visitor list after they have been confined for 30 days. Visits can begin after the first 72 hours of incarceration.

Children 12 years old and older will count as one of the inmate’s 6 visitors and may visit without a parent of guardian. Children under the age of 12 years will not count as one of the inmates 6 visitors, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years old who will be counted.

All visitors must provide photo identification except minor children of an inmate who must have a legal birth certificate.

All visitors must arrive at the same time and at least 15 minutes prior to the time of their vIsit. The visit may not be allowed if the visitor is late, does not have proper identification, or is not dressed/behaved appropriately. All visitors will behave calmly, quietly, and orderly during their visit. Visitors who are disorderly or disruptive will be asked to leave. Dressing appropriately means wearing non-revealing clothing (shirt, pants, dresses, shoes) for both males and females.

Visiting days and times may need to be changed by the Corrections Division. These can be found for each inmate on the Clackamas County Sheriff’s web site www.clackamas.us/sheriff using the “Current Inmates” search feature.

Personal Possessions

Q: How can I get items in an inmates possession that I need?

The Clackamas County Jail releases an inmate’s property to a third party as quickly as possible. The inmate must approve and sign for the release of all requested property. The person requesting the property must go to the front lobby of the Jail and request an “Inmate Property Release” form. They must complete the paperwork and provide photo identification to receive property.

Inmate Release Information

Q: How will I know that an inmate has been released from jail?

Victim’s Information & Notification (VINE). VINE is a free and anonymous telephone service that provides crime victims with information and notification on the custody status of offenders.
VINE monitors the custody status of:

Offenders in county jails

Offenders in Department of Corrections and Oregon Youth Authority facilities; and

Individuals currently on probation

Information is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Oregon VINE service is available in English and Spanish. A live operator is available to anyone who calls the toll-free number for any reason.

Support for Children

Q: How can I get support for a relative’s child I am caring for?

Oregon Department of Human Services offers a “Non-Needy Relative Grant” for relatives who are raising children who are not their own (grand parents with grand children, aunts or uncles with nieces or nephews, etc.) These relatives may be eligible for a small cash grant each month and also the TANF related medical program. Contact your local Oregon DHS branch office for details.

Q: How can I find support in school for my child?

Ask to speak to the student’s counselor. Explain the situation and discuss ways the counselor and the teacher can support your student during the school day.

Q: How do I enroll a child in school if their parent is incarcerated and I’m not the legal guardian?

Ask to speak with the school district’s homeless liaison. They can help with enrollment of unaccompanied students (students not in the care of a parent or guardian) and help you through the process of applying for temporary guardianship or obtaining power of attorney for educational purposes if necessary.

Q: What resources/services are available to my family?

There are a number of programs available to help families with low income meet their day-to-day needs. Many are services offered through the Oregon Department of Human Services and others are provided through Clackamas County.

Information and referrals may be available from Clackamas County Social Services, a division of Clackamas DHS.
Please call:
211
503-655-8861
503-655-8568 (Spanish)

The following is a condensed list of resources that are available at present. Many have income requirements that must be met; therefore, not everyone will qualify. There are many more sources of support than can be listed here. Alternative ways to find them are given at the end of this list.

CCR & R of Clackamas County is a part of Oregon’s system of childhood care and education. We work closely with other public and private organizations to provide essential services and supports for children and families.

Child Support

Child support services are available to both custodial and noncustodial parents. Even if a parent lives in another state, the parent can apply for services in Oregon. Relatives or other caretakers who have physical custody of a child are also entitled to child support services. Services are automatically provided to families who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid benefits, and to non-assistance families if they request help.

Hot meals are offered 7 days a week. Services are available to most Clackamas County residents. Members receive supplemental groceries on the first Friday of each month, and monthly newsletter about community services.

Provides emergency food boxes, clothing, personal care products (soap, toothpaste, laundry soap, etc.) and referrals to people most in need. May also provide rent and utility assistance as funds are available.

Secures donated and surplus items from farmers, food manufacturers, processors, and grocers and within the limits of these donations, provides food, clothing, household goods and other material to low income, elderly, and/or individuals with disabilities. Membership required.

Provides a hot, nutritious, sit-down dinner every Sunday at St. John's Episcopal Church in Milwaukie. Serves families, the elderly, homeless and those with disabilities. Walk-in's welcome, no reservations, non-denominational.

Check with your local school district for information about their breakfast and lunch programs.

FHIAP pays from 50 percent to 95 percent of the premium for Oregonians who are uninsured and meet income and other guidelines. Individuals and families use FHIAP subsidies to pay for insurance at work or to buy individual health plans if insurance is not available through an employer. With FHIAP, Oregonians often cover their entire families for just a few dollars a month instead of hundreds of dollars.

A prescription drug purchasing pool, to help increase access to prescription drugs. Open to any resident without adequate prescription drug coverage. FREE Enrollment. ALL Oregonians can now join. Save up to 60% on prescriptions. There is no paperwork required and no age or income limit.

Offers low-cost family health care. Staffed by doctors, nurse practitioners, and certified medical assistants, they treat everything from bumps and bruises to colds and flu and more serious health problems.

Manages mental health benefits for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) enrollees in Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman and Wasco Counties. If you have health insurance through the Oregon Health Plan and live in one of these five counties, we may be your Mental Health Organization (MHO). Check your Medicaid ID card to see if we are listed as your MHO. Both children and adults have mental health benefits under the OHP.

The program provides temporary financial help to support families whose safety is at risk due to domestic violence. Most often this is when the domestic violence survivor and the children are fleeing domestic violence or at risk of returning to an abusive situation.

Her Journey is a biblically based fifteen week program designed to help female victims of domestic abuse walk through their healing process. Women can join at any time and continue as long as they find it helpful. This program is offered free to all women.

Employment

Supports economic stability for Oregonians and communities during times of unemployment through the payment of unemployment benefits. Provides resources to diverse job seekers in support of their employment needs. Provides access to child care that is safe, high quality, and affordable.

OVRS is a member of the Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County, and is an active member at the One Stop at the Employment Department. There, they accept referrals of people who may be eligible for services.

Our workforce experts prepare job seekers for high demand jobs which connect them to employers through career planning, training and placement services.

Community Solutions for Clackamas Countywww.clackamas.us/cscc
503-655-8840
Provides free employment and training services to persons in public assistance programs, on parole or probation, or to older adults, and youth.

Offers job-search skills training and then matches the skills and abilities of individuals with the employment needs of local businesses as well as free English as a Second Language classes and alternatives to employment.

Legal

Matches low income Oregonians with attorneys willing to work for reduced fees. Attorneys that participate have agreed to charge no more than $35 for the first consultation and no more than $60 per hour. Modest Means attorneys only handle landlord/tenant, family law, and criminal defense.

Assists the Juvenile Court in the legal intervention of children at risk of abuse or neglect. We assist child caring agencies in developing a reunification program that will allow at-risk children to either return to their own home or develop a permanent plan that will provide them with physical and emotional safety and stability.

Housing/Shelter

Housing Rights and Resources is a program operating under Clackamas County Social Services Division/Community Action Agency. General housing information and referral is provided regarding landlord-tenant, fair housing, and other housing-related issues. Assists clients with filing housing discrimination complaints with HUD. Provides training on related topics. Current lists of lower cost housing in Clackamas County and shelters in the Portland Metropolitan Area are available. Screening for the Annie Ross House family shelter program occurs via this program. Those interested in the Annie Ross House should call for information and screening by the Housing Rights and Resources Coordinator.

Big Brothers Big Sisters works to help boys and girls achieve their potential through positive adult relationships. Just by sharing experiences, celebrating accomplishments, and listening to a child's concerns, a Big Brother or Big Sister can make a difference to a child. Youth ages 6-16 will benefit from a one-to-one friendship with a positive adult.

Offers a variety of programs for kids that meet their needs and interests, challenge them, provide them with the support, experience, and lessons they need to be healthy, caring, and confident, both now and in the future.

Check with your local school district for mentoring services that are available.

Hispanic Resources

Provides services for low income Latino residents of Clackamas County including: citizenship classes, Spanish literacy and ESL classes, budgeting and finance education, as well as classes for the written driver’s exam. They also provide the Project Unica domestic violence and sexual assault hotline, bilingual and bicultural mental health and addiction services, and a health outreach program.

Los Niños Cuentan
503-974-9882

Supports Latino families impacted by domestic and sexual violence, and addiction in achieving self sufficiency. Services include: support groups for victims of domestic/sexual violence, parenting and language classes, crisis/information help line, and leadership training for the community.

Provides high quality prevention and intervention programs for youth and families. Created and now maintains culturally appropriate bilingual programs that support the emergence of Hispanic leadership for both youth and adults.

Provides a variety of healthcare services for the Indian community (infants-elders), including family medicine, women's exams, diabetes and testing, and tobacco cessation, mental health counseling, immunizations, HIV and STD testing, and other services. Also available are a residential treatment facility and a Family Wellness Center.